Path-Dependent Import-Substitution Policies: The Case of Argentina in the 20th Century

53 Pages Posted: 23 Sep 2010

See all articles by Sebastian Galiani

Sebastian Galiani

University of Maryland - Department of Economics

Paulo Somaini

Stanford University - Department of Economics

Date Written: September 23, 2010

Abstract

We use a simple three-sector model to narrate the economic history of Argentina during the 20th century as seen through the prism of its integration into and dis-integration from the world economy. Assuming that capital moves between the primary and secondary sectors more slowly than labor moves between the secondary and tertiary sectors, we show that import-substitution policies exhibit path dependence. We contend that the endogenous industrialization of the inter-war period generated political changes that paved the way for import-substitution industrialization during the post-war period. Even if this inward-oriented strategy failed to spur economic growth, protectionist policies became entrenched. In the absence of mature political institutions, the liberalization process was delayed and, when it …finally did occur, it was extremely costly.

Keywords: Path Dependance, Import Substitution Policies, Distributive Conflict, Argentina

JEL Classification: F13, F14

Suggested Citation

Galiani, Sebastian and Somaini, Paulo, Path-Dependent Import-Substitution Policies: The Case of Argentina in the 20th Century (September 23, 2010). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1681757 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1681757

Sebastian Galiani (Contact Author)

University of Maryland - Department of Economics ( email )

College Park, MD 20742
United States

Paulo Somaini

Stanford University - Department of Economics ( email )

Landau Economics Building
579 Serra Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-6072
United States

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